DEVELOPMENT OF PRIVATE ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN RURAL AREAS OF PODKARPACIE REGION IN 1995-2007 (Rozwój przedsiebiorczosci indywidualnej na obszarach wiejskich Podkarpacia 1995-2007)

This article marks an attempt at determining the level of entrepreneurship in rural areas, with special attention given to social-economic factors that have stimulated growth in the number of economic entities formed by natural persons. The problem of economic activity carried out by natural persons analysed at the level of communes reveals a relatively great spatial diversification. A dynamic rise in the number of non-agricultural businesses recorded in 1995-2007 related to 14 territorial units in which the value of the entrepreneurship index exceeded 80. The analysis of spatial diversification of the development of entrepreneurship showed a high index value for areas attractive from the point of view of investments and tourism. Another zone of development of entrepreneurship is formed by areas located near major urban centres and areas situated close to transport routes. The conducted research has also indicated that a rise in the economic activity of natural persons is closely connected with attitudes characterising rural population and with its access to financial resources.